"My Computer" icon broken...

Last night something went wrong with the function "My Computer".
When I click on it it now takes over 2 minutes to open up with the list of my drives, etc. !! Once open, browsing files and folders is unaffected, except if I navigate upwards to 'My Computer' it does it again.

I've tried deleting and replacing the desktop icon with no luck. I've Googled and found nothing that helps. For the time being, when I eventually got it open, I've dragged shortcuts onto my desktop for drive C, D, and other things I need. These work fine.

I've tried the usual virus scans, defragging, temporarily switching off my Kaspersky, etc. and nothing helps.

After almost a day trying various things I concluded it was maybe something to do with a 4GB memory stick I had attached. Maybe 'My Computer' was slow just because it was cataloguing it or something? (I'm not an expert so it may be nothing to do with this...)

I just tried removing all my USB connections, except mouse and keyboard, rebooted and the problem is still there. I confess to removing the memory stick earlier without first clicking the 'safely remove hardware' button so I don't know if Windows is still trying to find it. If so, how do I get Windows to forget it ever existed?

My ultimate fall back (possibly?) would be to use Acronis to restore the C:\Windows directory (and its folders) from a month ago, after first backing up my registry as at now, and then restoring the registry. Would this work or is there more involved than just restoring the Windows directory? Or are there other things I can try first?

Many thanks
John

 

Hi, thanks for responding!

I'm using XP Pro Version 2002 SP3.
In Safe Mode the "My Computer" works straight away, no problem.
Back in Normal mode when I double click on "My Computer" CPU usage in Task Manager shows between zero and 1%.

Edit: The only other aspect of my PC that's suddenly run slow is when I double click to launch 'User Accounts' in the Control Panel. I suspect a connection here?

Thanks
John

 

Hi Tim

I stumbled across that MS page today and the only item that applied to my system was the image acquisition service which I turned off as they recommended but it made no difference.
:crybaby
John

 

No, Tim.
Just noticed another manifestation which might help. I just went to save a spreadsheet and when finding a place to put it I get a popup:
"Initializing folders. Initializing the root folders to display"
I guess this is what is happening each time I double click "My Computer" except there all I get is the wandering flashlight.
How can I stop Windows initializing folders every time?

thanks
John

 

I have an external 0.5TB drive that I use for backing up occasionally, connected via USB. I turned it off and unplugged it earlier when I disconnected all USB devices. I've now plugged it back in and turned it on but nothing's changed, 'My Computer' still takes 2 mins + to display.

thanks
John